Equalizer for ladders



Nov. 17; 1931. T, F MORGAN 1,832,648

' EQUALIZER FOR LADDERS Original Filed July 17. 1929 IN \/E N T D R Thornfon F/em Mor oan FvrTURNE Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES THORNTON MORGAN, OF WORTHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA EQUALIZER For. .LAnnnns Application filed July 17, 1929, Serial No. 378,948. Renewed September 2 5, 1 931.

This invention relates broadly to ladders, and more particularly to attachments therefor whereby the ladder may be leveled relative to the work irrespective of the conditions of the surface upon which said ladder is placed.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which may be readily and quickly attached 10 to one of the stiles of a ladder whereby said ladder may be lengthened to contact on an uneven or irregular supporting surface;

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned wherein an extensible foot or stile is secured to one or both of the stiles of the ladder by a flexible connection, which latter can be easily and quickly passed around and engaged with one of the rungs and then hooked in place, thus affording expeditious securement of the foot or auxiliary stile to the ladder.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character which is thoroughly eflicient and reliable in use, simple in construction, and capable of economical manufacture.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent throughout the course of the following description, reference being herein made to the accompanying drawings,

in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a ladder with the extensible foot attached thereto; and- Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22, Fig. 1, showing the brackets and fiexible support.

Referring in detail to said drawings, 1 indicates the usual stiles and 2 the rungs of a ladder of ordinary type. An auxiliary stile or foot 3 is provided and is slidably secured to the ladder adjacent its lower end by means of a substantially U-shaped guide or bracket 4 secured to the auxiliary stile and having inturned ends adapted to embrace the stile 1. A second guide or bracket 5 is secured adjacent the upper end of the auxiliary stile and is adapted to engage about the stile 1 of a pivoted latch member 6, shown in Fig. 2,

and to be maintained in position by means.

which engages the inner side face ofthe stile 1.

v An eye bolt 7 is attached to theauxiliary stile and is formed to receive and anchor one end of a chain or other suitable flexible ele- 'ment 8, which latter has its opposite end provided with a book 9 formed to engage an intermediate link of the chain.

'In practice, the lower end of the stile 1 is inserted in the bracket 4 carried by the auxiliary stile 3 and the bracket 5 is clamped about the stile 1 by means of the latch 6. When one side of the ladder is to be maintained elevated, as when the same rests upon uneven ground, the ladder is tilted to a predetermined level position, whereupon the auxiliary stile 3 will slide downwardly until the lower end thereof engages the surface of the ground. The chain 8 is then looped 7 under the desired rung 2 and the hook 9 inserted in the desired link.

As is obvious, the object of the pivoted latch 6 is to enable the bracket 5 to be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 so as to pass an adjacent rung in cases where the auxiliary stile 3 is to be projected a distance greater than that between two adjacent rungs.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that after the auxiliary stile has been adjusted to its proper position, the free end of the chain 8 can be easily and quickly passed around the stiles 1 and 3 and beneath the adjacent rung 2, following which the hook 9 can be readily engaged with one of the links of the chain so as to cause the looped part of the chain to have tight engagement with the parts 1, 2 and 3. Thus, the stile 1 is supported by the chain from the eye 7 and from the rung with which the loop of the chain engages.

It will further be noted that, by providing a similar auxiliary stile and holding device therefor and applying the same to the opposite stile, the length of the laddencan be increased;

What is claimed is- 1. In combination with a ladder, an auxiliary stile therefor, means carried by the auxiliary stile slidably connecting the latter to a stile of the ladder, and a chain attached at one end to the upper end portion of said auxiliary stile and thence looped around both of said stiles and beneath a rung of the ladder and having its opposite end attached to its upper end portion so that said rung is caused to sustain the Weight imposed upon said auxiliary stile.

2. In combination With a ladder, an auxilary stile therefor, brackets carried by said stile in partially embracing relation to one of the stiles of the ladder and constituting guides, the upper of said guides having a pivoted part shiftable to and from enclosing relation to the ladder stile and adapted to permit rungs of the ladder to pass thereby, and a chain attachedvat one end to the upper portion of said auxiliary stile and adapted, following relative adjustment of said stiles, to be looped around the latter and beneath a rung of the ladder and to have its opposite end attached to its upper end portion, thereby to cause said rung to sustain weight imposed on said auxiliary stile, preventing upward shifting movement of the latter.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my si nature.

THORNTON FLEM MOB AN. 

